In just one weekend, I finished this Young-Adult novel. Its chapters were brief, some less than a page, and they alternated between two narrators -- both in 11th grade, both involved in school basketball. Well, Carli began to contemplate quitting; Rex was the media darling. My ignorance of that sport didn't impede my ability to escape into this first-love story.
It turned out that even the teens' high-income upbringing couldn't shield them from such hardships as, say, a fracturing marriage -- leading to guilt over the idea of choosing one parent over the other, heartbreaking for me to see. The issue of a present, yet uninvolved, father also arose – opening the door to a view of our human fallibility in seeing the big picture.
In fact, the two protagonists gradually had to grapple with problems stemming from miscommunication and second-guessing. Carli exasperated me a bit with her peculiar search for "signs" for direction in life, but I accepted this as more an adolescent mindset. Incidentally, I admired Carli's awareness of some Shakespeare trivia which I'd never before known.
I liked how the 3rd-act plot twist, somewhat hinted early on, still took me utterly by surprise. The drama amplified from there... but in a wholly unexpectedly manner! As a lifelong Texan, I appreciated the Houston-area setting, crazy weather and all. The bit of steaminess and a few profanities were not excessive to me; rather, they were reasonable for this novel.
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Top reviews from other countries
- RaulReviewed in the United States on 16 June 2020
First love, high-school basketball, and mistaken assumptions
In just one weekend, I finished this Young-Adult novel. Its chapters were brief, some less than a page, and they alternated between two narrators -- both in 11th grade, both involved in school basketball. Well, Carli began to contemplate quitting; Rex was the media darling. My ignorance of that sport didn't impede my ability to escape into this first-love story.RaulFirst love, high-school basketball, and mistaken assumptions
Reviewed in the United States on 16 June 2020
It turned out that even the teens' high-income upbringing couldn't shield them from such hardships as, say, a fracturing marriage -- leading to guilt over the idea of choosing one parent over the other, heartbreaking for me to see. The issue of a present, yet uninvolved, father also arose – opening the door to a view of our human fallibility in seeing the big picture.
In fact, the two protagonists gradually had to grapple with problems stemming from miscommunication and second-guessing. Carli exasperated me a bit with her peculiar search for "signs" for direction in life, but I accepted this as more an adolescent mindset. Incidentally, I admired Carli's awareness of some Shakespeare trivia which I'd never before known.
I liked how the 3rd-act plot twist, somewhat hinted early on, still took me utterly by surprise. The drama amplified from there... but in a wholly unexpectedly manner! As a lifelong Texan, I appreciated the Houston-area setting, crazy weather and all. The bit of steaminess and a few profanities were not excessive to me; rather, they were reasonable for this novel.
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- Elisa ZiedReviewed in the United States on 20 June 2020
A perfect young adult novel
- TPOWPOWReviewed in the United States on 24 July 2020
Another gorgeous work from Liara Tamani!
What can I say? I am a fan of Liara Tamani! This book brings me back to the days of first loves and trying to find my own teen voice while navigating the world around me. It’s a beautifully written, new age, Love & Basketball and I hope everyone will fall in love with these characters just as I did.TPOWPOWAnother gorgeous work from Liara Tamani!
Reviewed in the United States on 24 July 2020
Be sure to check out Tamani’s first book, Calling My Name, too. Both gorgeous works from the cover art to the words inside. Love this author!
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